Network of European and African Researchers on Antimicrobial Resistance (JPIAMR)

Lead Research Organisation: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Department Name: Tropical Disease Biology

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest challenges facing healthcare globally. In order to mitigate the effects of AMR, coordinated international action is needed.The Network of European and African Researchers on Antimicrobial Resistance; known as NEAR-AMR, represents a group of experts within multiple disciplines associated with antimicrobial resistance. Expertise includes clinical, pharmacy, veterinary, environmental microbiology, epidemiology, molecular biology and evolution, encompassing a One Health approach to AMR, from leading institutions located throughout Europe and Africa.
We will inform on the strategic direction of the JPIAMR virtual research institute (VRI) as it develops. The overall aim is to ensure international efforts are focused in areas of maximal benefit and results are translatable on continental scales.

Technical Summary

The Network of European and African Researchers on Antimicrobial Resistance; known as NEAR-AMR, represents a group of experts within multiple disciplines associated with antimicrobial resistance. Expertise includes clinical, pharmacy, veterinary, environmental microbiology, epidemiology, molecular biology and evolution, encompassing a One Health approach to AMR, from leading institutions located throughout Europe and Africa.

Our comprehensive geographical spread allows different, country specific insights into our two areas of focus. Firstly, we will determine which common capacity and capability training needs exist for young investigators hoping to establish themselves within any area of AMR research from Europe and Africa. We aim to deliver a white paper on training with a focus on these commonalities at month 12 from both a European and an African standpoint.

NEAR-AMR is also well placed to inform on the preferred profile, and realistic limitations, of global surveillance data sharing platforms, informing expectations on what is possible within a range of existing healthcare infrastructures from multiple geographical settings. We will produce a position paper on a "preferred platform profile" for an optimal global platform for surveillance data sharing which takes into consideration national resource limitations, current and future capabilities of health systems and infrastructure coupled with geographically distinct data requirements which would make the tool as useful as possible.

Both outputs, which will also be included within a dedicated NEAR-AMR website, will inform on the strategic direction of the JPIAMR virtual research institute (VRI) as it develops. The overall aim is to ensure international efforts are focused in areas of maximal benefit and results are translatable on continental scales.

Planned Impact

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest challenges facing healthcare globally. In order to mitigate the effects of AMR, coordinated international action is needed. The Network of European and African Researchers on Antimicrobial Resistance; known as NEAR-AMR, represents a group of experts within multiple disciplines associated with antimicrobial resistance. Expertise includes clinical, pharmacy, veterinary, environmental microbiology, epidemiology, molecular biology and evolution, encompassing a One Health approach to AMR, from leading institutions located throughout Europe and Africa.

Our comprehensive geographical spread allows different, country specific insights into our two areas of focus. Firstly, we will determine which common capacity and capability training needs exist for young investigators hoping to establish themselves within any area of AMR research from Europe and Africa. We aim to deliver a white paper on training with a focus on these commonalities at month 12 from both a European and an African standpoint.

NEAR-AMR is also well placed to inform on the preferred profile, and realistic limitations, of global surveillance data sharing platforms, informing expectations on what is possible within a range of existing healthcare infrastructures from multiple geographical settings. We will produce a position paper on a "preferred platform profile" for an optimal global platform for surveillance data sharing which takes into consideration national resource limitations, current and future capabilities of health systems and infrastructure coupled with geographically distinct data requirements which would make the tool as useful as possible.

Both outputs, which will also be included within a dedicated NEAR-AMR website, will inform on the strategic direction of the JPIAMR virtual research institute (VRI) as it develops. The overall aim is to ensure international efforts are focused in areas of maximal benefit and results are translatable on continental scales.
 
Description Antimicrobial Stewardship in Hospitals, Resistance Selection and Transfer in a One Health Context
Amount £1,200,000 (GBP)
Funding ID MR/W030578/1 
Organisation Medical Research Council (MRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2022 
End 02/2025
 
Description Effects of Flavanoids on the microbiome in chicken caecum 
Organisation Wageningen University & Research
Department Wageningen Food & Biobased Research
Country Netherlands 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This was a partnership with Dr Mike Brouwer at the Department of Bacteriology, Host Pathogen Interaction and Diagnostics Development, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Netherlands. During the second NEAR-AMR meeting Mike, myself and my MRF National AMR PhD programme funded PhD student discussed a collaboration investigating the effects of plant flavonoids on the chicken caecum microbiome. Flavonoids are being used to replace antibiotics in animal feed and we have previously shown that they have antimicrobial properties and may exert a selective pressure, co-selecting for antibiotic resistance. My student, Mr William Hutton, applied for funds from the Microbiology Society, was successful and spent a month of his time in the Brouwer labs between lockdowns utilizing their brand new fermenter systems to model the effects of flavonoids on the microbiome.
Collaborator Contribution Mike Brouwer and his team provided the fermenters, chicken caecal contents and expertise and training so William, together with a PhD student in Dr Brouwer's lab; Ms Ingrid Cárdenas Rey, could set up, validate and perform the experiments with and without flavonoid compounds. These were also run alongside comparable batch culture experiments.
Impact Microbiome sequencing data has just been received and is currently being analysed. Publication is planned asap
Start Year 2020
 
Description Invited Seminar at Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) 2019. Saudi Arabia 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Seminar on AMR in LMICs, discussed NEAR-AMR and activities
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://ipc2019ksa.com/
 
Description Microbiology Society Policy Workshop ; AMR in light of COVID 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Focused workshop organized by the Microbiology Society to discuss AMR in light of COVID; following this a synopsis and policy recommendations were completed by the society
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Project website 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Project website launched with details of the project and the participants, together with details of our meetings to reach our aims.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/near-amr
 
Description Webinar; Facilitating Research in the COVID pandemic 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Webinar and expert panel session as part of the JPIAMR activities
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.jpiamr.eu/key-takeaways-from-webinar-on-facilitating-amr-research-in-the-covid-19-pandem...